At Medicine Grand Rounds in March 2000, Richard L. Atkinson, MD, discussed
a 33-year-old woman with morbid obesity.1 At
that time, the patient, Ms C, weighed 289 lb and her goal was to lose 150
lb. After 3 months in a special weight loss program, exercising regularly,
following a diet, and taking phentermine, she had lost 14 lb. Dr Atkinson
discussed the health consequences of morbid obesity. He also presented the
risks and the benefits of various options such as dietary therapy, behavior
modification, exercise, drug therapy, and surgery. He suggested that, in Ms
C's case, the evidence favored surgical intervention to best achieve and maintain
significant weight loss.